Reflection 5

Reflection 5
What exactly is cooperative and collaborative learning? Let’s begin by analyzing what is collaborative learning. Collaborative learning is a method of teaching and learning in which student’s team together to explore a significant question or create a meaningful project. Some examples include: a group of students discussing a lecture or even students from different schools working together over the internet on a shared assignment. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004) Then we have cooperative learning which is a specific type of collaborative learning. Cooperative learning is where students work together in small groups on a structured activity. They are individually accountable for their work and also the work as a group is assessed. They work face to face and learn how to work together. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004) Working in small groups helps students develop their interpersonal skills like sharing their strengths and developing their weaknesses. Three things are necessary to create an environment where cooperative learning can take place. They are the following: First, the students need to feel safe, but also challenged. Second, groups need to be small enough that everyone can contribute. Third, the task student’s work together on must be clearly defined. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004) The following show how providing a small group forms a place where: learners actively participate, teachers become better learners an d learners sometimes teach, respect is given to every member, projects and questions interest and challenge students, and others. Cooperative and collaborative learning are very different from traditional teaching approaches in that students work together rather than compete with each other individually. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004) There are many benefits of cooperative and collaborative learning. They are the following: Celebration of diversity, meaning that students learn to work with all types of people. Acknowledgment of individual differences, which means that when questions are raised, different student’s will have a variety of responses. Interpersonal development where students learn to relate to their peers and other learners as they work together in group enterprises. Actively involving students in learning is where each member has the opportunity to contribute in small groups. More opportunities for feedback occurs because since there are more exchanges among students in small groups there’s more personal feedback. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004) There are also some weaknesses identified in cooperative and collaborative learning. They are: Making members of the group responsible for each other’s learning. Another weakness is Encouraging only lower-level thinking and ignoring the strategies necessary for the inclusion of critical thought. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004) I will end this explanation with some recommendations: Making sure to identify clear questions at the outset, Resolving small group conflicts as soon as they arise, Creating rubrics at the beginning of any assignment, helping students reflect on their progress, and finally expecting excellence from all students and letting them know that you believe in them and their ability to produce excellent work. (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004)